Watch-case



J. DUBOIS.

WATCH CASE. No. 408,830. Patented Aug. 13 1889.

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N. PETERS. Photo-Lithographer, Washingicn, D. G

UNITED STATES PATENT ()rricn.

JULES DUBOIS, OF BROOKLYN, NEV YORK.

WATCH -CAS E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,830, dated August 13, 1889.

Application filed March 28, 1889.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULES DUBOIS, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Medallion or Photographic atch-Cases; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the aecompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

My invention relates to devices whereby the case of a watch is utilized as a photograph-holder.

It has for its object to provide improved means for the retention of a photograph upon the watch-cap and for permitting either the concealment of the inelosed photograph by the case or its display through an opening therein, at the pleasure of the owner; and it consists in the novel combination and arrangement for this purpose, and in connection with the cap and case of a watch, of the devices hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the rear face of a watch fitted with my improvement; Fig. 2, a view thereof in perspective with the case opened; and Fig. 3 a diametric section on an enlarged scale of the cap and case with the latter closed, as in Fig. 1.

A represents the outer case of the watch, and B the cap-plate covering the works. Upon the outer face of the cap 13 a ring C is soldered, said ring being slightly concaved or beveled about its inner periphery, so as to leave between its inner edge and the underlying face of the cap an annular ire-entrant recess, as shown in Fig. 3, adapted to receive and confine the rim of the thin sheet or film of paper, metal, or other suitable material upon which is impressed the photograph to be preserved. The rim of the photograph being cut to the proper size is sprung into the annular recess, so that the photograph will till the central circular space, the slightly-proj ecting rim Cserving to protect it and to form afinishing frame or border therefor. Upon the opposite inner face of the hinged case A, which is made to fitover and cover the cap B- of the Serial No. 305,081. on m1.)

watch in the customary manner, a corresponding ring D, preferably of the same diameter as the ring 0, is soldered, its inner periphery being recessed to present a slight annular groove, as shown in Fig.

A circular opening somewhat larger in diameter than that in the ring D is cut through the case A concentrically with said ring, and the peripheral edge of said opening is also inwardly grooved or recessed, as shown in Fig. A circular plate E is provided to fit accurately within said opening. This plate is preferably made of a thickness which will admit of its engaging the periphery of the reenforeing-ring D,as well as that of the opening in the case, its rim being properly formed with an annular recess or shoulder to adapt it to rest upon the shoulder formed by reason of the difference in the diameter of the openings in the ring and case, as shown in Fig. 3.

Then the plate E is sprung into its seat in the case to close the opening therein, the case is made to present outwardly a solid unbroken appearanee, and the inelosed photograph is concealed, unless the case be opened; but by removing the plate the photograph in the underlying recess in the cap 13 remains clearly disclosed and constantly in view, the rabbeted rim encircling the opening, forming a veryneat border for the picture.

A crystal may be fitted in the opening ii the casein place of the concealing-plate E, and where variety is desired a set of plates bearing monograms or ornamental designs in diverse styles, and which may be incrusted. with various precious stones, &e., are furnished to be substituted for said plate E as occasion requires.

The two rings 0 and D are fitted to encircle the same axis, and the ring 1) may pass within the ring 0, or in some cases the two may be of the same diameter, so as to come into contact whenever the case is pressed in wardly abnormally and thereby afford it firm support, and said rings serve usefully to strengthen both the cap and case of the watch. 7

an outer caso covering the cap, having an Opening therein to i-ugisi'm' with said seat and which is encircled by an inWniw'ily-pl'ojociing bowl or l'ing', and a onvm-ing-pinte fitting 1c- 5 (tlliiliiuiy \vii-hin said opening to (rinse it, sub- In testimony wllmuoi' i 'hm'o signwi in nu nw tot-his Specification in thv prvsvncn n1 1 '0 subsoribing' witnnsmm.

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